Paris & Belgium?

[jobell]

Hi all, I haven't posted on this board yet (I'm only on the H&F one here usually) but I figured there were more people here than would see this on TN.

DH and I are headed to Paris & Belgium in mid-November. Spending 4 nights in Paris, 1 night in Bruges and 1 night in Brussels. Would love recs of what to do/where to eat.

Thanks in advance!

[marytini]

Here is my recent Paris trip review. I have yet to blog about it.
pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=trav&thread=59859&page=1

We really enjoyed our dinner at Au Bougnat on the Island.
www.aubougnat.com/

We basically hit up alot of the main tourist sites, so that would depend on what interests you. I really enjoyed the Orsay Museum and the Orangerie was nice too(a fairly quick visit).
We also stumbled upon a flea type market on Rue Cler on our last day (a Saturday) that was really fun to walk through.

[Waffles]

For Brussels:

I always recommend to just wander around, especially if you’re just there for the day.
Here’s sort of an itinerary that hits all the main sights. I always recommend to start at the top as it's more leisurely & you end up closer to bars/restaurants but it all depends where you stay...

So, start by palace of justice & check out the view over downtown Brussels. If it isn’t foggy, you can see the atomium and the basilique from there. Take the lift down to the marolles area, check out the flea market, have a boudin (sausage) from the butchers or an omelette at one of the local pubs. The might look grotty but I swear they’re fine. Very tasty food at the one closest to the corner on the top right when coming from the lift, whatever it’s called…

Walk along rue blaes/rue haute towards place de la chapelle, browse the antique/furniture shops on the way. Go (slightly) up to sablon, have a drink at a terrace (they're heated) and do some people watching. There’s an antique market there at weekends which I like looking at but don’t expect any bargains! Also don't eat there: not worth the price. Do buy some very expensive chocolates at Marcolini's though, they’re totally worth it.

Walk down towards mont des arts and check out the musical instruments museum building (nice place for lunch also). Walk straight down through the park towards place agora, more galleries/antique dealers on the way for window shopping. Go to the galleries royales saint Hubert (right of place agora) & walk through the surrounding streets. Again, do not eat there. Food is overpriced and actually very poor quality. Walk back towards place agora through the pedestrian streets and go look at grand place. Walk to the bottom of grand place and head down a little more towards the stock exchange (bourse), take the street with O’Reilley’s (irish pub) at the corner and go for drinks on the next square (place saint géry). You can also get reasonably priced snacks/lunch at the corner cafés there too. Or get a slice of pizza from mamma roma.

Dinner/drinks: Delirium is sort of a must see for the number of beers they have, check it out. For dinner, go to place sainte Catherine/Dansaert area (5 minutes’ walk from saint géry, with your back to the bourse). Stay away from all the seafood places along the canal, you’re better off having moules frietes at a brasserie. I’d recommend jaloa or brasserie du jaloa, pré salé, switch, la kasbah (Moroccan), comocomo (basque), viva m’boma (Belgian but also with offal). On the other side of the main boulevard: Kokob (Ethiopian) or belga queen.

Let me know if you have questions.

[hz80408]

Here's info from our Paris trip in April; we were there 4 nights also:
shineisntalwaysshimmer.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris

[jobell]

Valerie - thanks for your post. We don't have much time in Brussels, so this is perfect for us!

And thanks to Hz and Mary. I'm compiling all our Paris recs, so these are great!

[agnes]

Bookmarked!